Reporter Oct 23 2020
Variety of influences helped shape Birch’s medical career
Oct. 22, 2020—Andrea Birch was 9 years old and on top of the world. Her visiting cousin had challenged her to a tree-climbing contest, and, as a competitive kid always up for a challenge, she had outclimbed him. She was looking down at him from her lofty perch and, as she recalls, “goading him from the top.
VPH nurse creates trauma-informed yoga program
Oct. 22, 2020—Julie Stavas, RN, has found a way to marry two of her passions — psychiatric nursing and yoga — at Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital (VPH). About once every week, she leads trauma-informed yoga therapy to a group of five to 10 patients for 30 to 45 minutes.
New tool to probe genetic mechanisms of disease
Oct. 22, 2020—Vanderbilt Genetics Institute investigators have added a new method to the computational genetics toolbox. Their approach, described in the journal Nature Genetics, integrates vast genomics datasets to predict gene expression and facilitate discovery of genetic mechanisms underlying human diseases.
Minimally invasive treatment option for AFib studied
Oct. 22, 2020—A minimally invasive procedure that combines ligation of the left atrial appendage (LAA) with hybrid epicardial-endocardial ablation is a feasible, safe and effective method of treating patients with longstanding atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib), according to a new Vanderbilt-led study.
Lindsley to direct Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery
Oct. 22, 2020—Craig Lindsley, PhD, the William K. Warren Jr. Chair in Medicine and University Professor of Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Chemistry, will become director of Vanderbilt University’s Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (WCNDD), effective Dec. 1. Lindsley assumes the director position from Jeffrey Conn, PhD, Lee. E. Limbird Chair in Pharmacology and professor of Pharmacology.
Kevin Churchwell named Boston Children’s Hospital CEO
Oct. 22, 2020—Kevin Churchwell, MD, former chief executive officer of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, has been named CEO of Boston Children’s Hospital, effective March 31, 2021.
VUMC Hidden Figures event set for Nov. 2
Oct. 22, 2020—The fourth annual Hidden VUMC Figures event will take place via Zoom at noon on Monday, Nov. 2.
NIAAA director Koob set for Nov. 5 virtual Discovery Lecture
Oct. 22, 2020—The Discovery Lecture Series launches this fall with a webinar format, the first featuring George Koob, PhD, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health.
Park named director of Hematology and Oncology at VICC
Oct. 21, 2020—After serving as interim director since Jan. 1, Ben Ho Park, MD, PhD, Donna S. Hall Professor of Breast Cancer Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has been named director of the Division of Hematology and Oncology.
‘Black in Cancer’ promotes diversity in research
Oct. 21, 2020—Black In Cancer, an initiative cofounded by Henry Henderson III, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, is making an impact just two months after its inception.
Vanderbilt Health to be founding member of Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Health Network
Oct. 20, 2020—Vanderbilt Health is one of 12 of the nation’s premier providers of medical care that will begin offering services to any former National Football League player or team employee, and their families, under the banner of Hall of Fame Health.
Ascension St. Thomas, Tristar Health, Meharry Medical College/Nashville General Hospital, Vanderbilt Health issue joint statement on COVID-19
Oct. 20, 2020—The number of active COVID-19 cases in Tennessee is rising. In the 13 counties that comprise the Nashville Metropolitan Area, new cases have increased 50% over the last 2 weeks. We strongly urge everyone in Middle Tennessee, and all Tennesseans, to remain vigilant in their efforts to limit the spread of the virus by wearing masks, washing hands and staying socially distant — including not participating in large gatherings.
